CAC CA-27 Avon-Sabre (F-86F)

History

The F-86 Sabre is a North American company success story with 9,860 built, making it one of the most influential of the early jet fighters in service globally. Variants have proven to be numerous, with dedicated fighter types, reconnaissance platforms, and dedicated mission types over a long and illustrious combat career.

In Australia, the Sabre was introduced in a more indirect way, as the F-86F laid the foundation for the advanced Commonwealth Aircraft Company (CAC) Sabre form - "Avon-Sabre".

The F-86F was licensed in Australia, which laid the groundwork for the "CA-26" prototype. The most notable change was the introduction of the British Rolls-Royce "Avon" Mk 26 turbojet, which replaced the General Electric J47 system originally from the United States. This forced a major redesign of the hull structure to accommodate the draft and lighter weight of the new engines. The front of the fuselage was lengthened and the rear shortened, while gaining a lower profile. Six 0.50 caliber heavy machine guns (HMG) have been replaced by a pair of 30mm Aden cannons for increased firepower.

Two underwing hardpoints allow to carry bombs, missiles and missiles. The performance of the new engine increased 50% of the thrust, and the final aircraft retained only 40% of its original structure, making it an entirely new design - although the overall shape of the US Sabre is still easily recognizable - including the low-mounted swept aircraft Wing surfaces, "teardrop" canopy and nose-mounted air intakes.

The CA-26 made its first flight on August 3, 1953, after it was completed. After testing and acceptance trials, the aircraft was adopted under the contract "CA-27" and was called "Avon-Sabre" for its power plant selection. This resulted in a total of 111 production prototypes being delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) starting in 1954. The first 22 units were designated as Sabre Mk.

30 and complete with imported Avon RA. 7 turbojets, and their wings are equipped with slats. The next 20 aircraft were Sabre Mk. 31 fighters, the first to be equipped with CAC-produced Avon 20 turbojets, which had no rods on their wings and somewhat elongated leading edges. The Sabre Mk.

32 model features an in-house Avon 26 turbojet with 7,500 pounds of thrust. An additional set of under-wing hardpoints are also included, bringing the total number of weapon stations to four. The Sabre Mk. 31 variant is the Mk. 30 aircraft with a "6-3" slatted wing.

An additional 20 "new build" aircraft entered this standard from CAC to further strengthen the inventory. The last version of the Avon Sabre was the Sabre Mk. 32, which was based on the Avon 26 series engine, with 69 produced by 1961.

The Sabre Mk. 32 has a top speed of 700 mph, a range of up to 1,155 miles, and a service ceiling of up to 52,000 feet. It climbs at 12,000 feet per minute.

Can carry up to 5,300 lb external supplies (in addition to the two fixed standard 30mm internal cannons) via a total of four hardpoints - consisting primarily of 2 x 500 lb / 1,000 lb conventionally thrown bombs, 24 x 80 mm Hispano SURA missiles or 2 x AIM-9 Sidewinder Air-to-Air Missiles (AAM). The two innermost hardpoints are usually reserved for disposable external fuel tanks to increase the inherent combat range.

Avon-Sabres lived a fulfilling life serving in the Royal Australian Air Force during his flying career from 1954 to 1971. They also formed the "Black Panther" aerobatic team that was observed from 1965 to 1966.

At least seven RAAF squadrons are equipped with the model, including the 2nd Combat Conversion Force and the 5th Combat Training Force. The first combat action took place during the "Malaysian Emergency" (1948-1960), during which Commonwealth forces intended to prevent the Communist takeover of Malaya. These sorties are strikes against enemy targets. From 1963 to 1966, the Rattlesnake-equipped Avon Sabre was used for air defense missions against Indonesia in the Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation. Further action saw the Avon-Sabres, who were stationed in Thailand to support local government action against communism.

During the Vietnam War (1955-1975), the Avon Sabres remained in Thailand but did not see direct action against the North Vietnamese Air Force.

The end of the road to Avon-Sabres began in the mid-1960s, when the RAAF took over Dassault's French interceptor Mirage III (detailed elsewhere on this page). This led to her eventual retirement in 1971-1972.

Existing stocks were sold to Malaysia and Indonesia, where they ended their flying careers in time.

Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes